Offering invisible protection

You have seen them many times, while trying for a glimpse of your favourite star. Dressed in suits and corporate style glares, they cut a figure of serious authority, confidence yet courteousness.

Their primary job is to protect stars during promotional eve­nts, film premiere nights, award functions etc. Meet celeb bodyguards whose job isn’t easy by any stretch of imagination.

Standing head and shoulders above the others they are the ones who have to keep frenzied fans at a distance and they are the ones who work in stealthy silence. They know when to guard the star and when to let him/her free and on their own. A mutual understanding is a must between the two to make it all appear spontaneous. They are envied by many because of the nature of their work but very few know about the amount of personal struggles, training and gruelling schedules that go into becoming invisible protectors.

Bodyguard is a misconception as it is only one aspect of close protection. Actor Ronit Roy’s ACE Security and Protection is the largest security agency for celebs in Mumbai.
Deepak Singh, manager at ACE says, “We hire boys who can take independent decisi­o­ns. Primarily their job is to learn to assess danger or indirect threats to their clients.”
Before an event takes place the protection team does a thorough search of the location so that they know entry and exit points in advance. Their role is not limited to the protecting the celeb but to extend the same to his family.

The celebrity should have complete confidence in their work. They are trained to eng­a­ge in combat if fans or paparazzi try to create scenes during events.

They are also trained in hand-to-hand combat, vehicle search, detecting dangerous elements using metal detectors, embus and debus procedures, first aid and liasoning.
Bijender, a bouncer with Checkm­ate Security in Gurgaon which provides bouncers for PVR says, “It is the job of the bodyguard to travel with the celebrities. We usually stay for six-seven hours with the star. Over and above our salaries sometimes stars also give us gifts like clothes, black glares and other small items. Once Salman bhai gave me a handkerchief signed by him.”

Beyond the glamour however lies the other side of their story. It involves staying away from family for long periods, skipping meals and putting their own lives at stake.